THE VOICE OF CLEAR LIGHTNews and Inspiration from Ligmincha InstituteVolume 7, Number 3April 8, 2007**************************For easy reading, we recommend that you print out "The Voice of ClearLight."A printable PDF version of this month’s edition of VOCL, in readerfriendlynewsletter format complete with color photographs, will beavailable online later in the month. Please check the link for VOCL onLigmincha Institute's home page at www.ligmincha.org. You can alsoaccess an archive of previous issues at:http://ligmincha.org/study/vocl.html**************************IN THIS ISSUE:“On Finding Yourself in the Nature of Mind” – an edited excerpt fromoral teachings given by Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, winter 2002Late-breaking news from LigminchaNext WWW teaching with Tenzin Rinpoche will be on April 28Donations From the HeartA message from Geshe Tenzin Wangyal RinpocheItems for the summer auction must be in by May 15Art for the new wing of the GarudaUpcoming spring and summer retreats at Serenity Ridge“Early-bird” registration date for the summer retreat is May 28New items at Ligmincha’s Bookstore and Tibet Shop**************************“ON FINDING YOURSELF IN THE NATURE OF MIND” – an edited excerpt fromoral teachings given by Geshe Tenzin Wangyal RinpocheIn order to directly experience the nature of mind, during dzogchenpractice we try to create certain conditions within the body, speechand mind. We use postures or movements of the physical body, practicesof the breath, and the concentration and focus of awareness of themind.It is not as if the nature of mind is a separate object, a separateplace where you as a subject can take a bus, train or a plane to. Itis not like that - there is no place to go, no place to search for thenature of mind. Nor is the nature of mind a form with a particularshape or color that you can experience. If you are searching for yournature in those ways, you will not find anything. That is guaranteed.We are so conditioned to always be expecting to see some THING. It isvery, very difficult for us to rid ourselves of the mind of ours thathas expectations.If you go out to find a job, you go with the expectation of finding onethat pays well, say. That expectation helps guide your search towardfinding the right job for you. In looking for the nature of mind,though, it makes no sense to look with the expectation that you willsee something, because there is nothing to see.Now you may be thinking, “There’s nothing to see? Well, that’s alittle discouraging.” Maybe you are curious about what this means. Youare beginning to realize that you cannot experience the nature of mindin the same way you can experience your dreams, your thoughts, yourfeelings, or any kind of form. The nature of mind will not be seen inany of those ways. It is possible that during meditation, sometimesyou will see various colors or shapes that are signs or qualities ofsome experience of, or connection to, the nature of mind, but eventhese are not the nature of mind.The introduction to the nature of mind is essentially about creatingthe right causes and conditions - that’s really what it is. In thesame way that by placing a mirror in different locations you find thatyour view changes, so too by putting your body in the right position,your breath in the right position, and your mind in the right position,you are able to simply find your self in that place. But when you findyour self in that place, it is not that you are seeing something, it isonly that you are being. The moment you think that you are seeing yournature, you are actually not. You see, one of the subtlest obstaclesto resting in the nature of mind is not being able to get rid of theseer, the one who sees. Until you get rid of the observer, theperceiver, the subject, the nature remains hidden.So, you don’t create or force the experience of the nature of mind;rather, you can put the proper conditions together for finding yourself there. It would be a good idea to look at all that we experiencein our lives in that same way - understanding that we can’t alwaysachieve the results we want by forcing them, but we can instead try toset up the proper conditions for those results to arise naturally.Often we ignore the advantages of setting up the proper conditions andjust struggle to force the result into manifestation.For example, you want to be happy. So what do you do sometimes? Youjust try to force yourself to be happy, even though in a relative senseyou are simply in the wrong place to support being happy. Let’s sayyou are somebody who has a knack for electronics, who is fascinatedworking all day long on computers and has so much knowledge about howthey work, and yet you may not be able to cook even a cup of tea foryourself. Now, if you were put into the position of being a chef at arestaurant, then that would definitely be the wrong place for you to behappy. So, you don't realize you are in the wrong place, the wrongtime, the wrong situation, and all you know is that you want to behappy. The location makes you suffer, the situation makes you suffer,the timing makes you suffer, and yet you simply push yourself to behappy. You just cook furiously, and the customers continually aredissatisfied, and eventually the restaurant has to go out of business.That forcing of the situation would obviously be the wrong approach.What should you do instead? Focus your effort on changing the place,changing the timing, changing the circumstances to make them the rightones for being happy. If you do find the right conditions, then you’llbe naturally happy. You create the causes for natural happiness ratherthan futilely struggling to force the result.Many times in our lives we get stuck simply because we don't know weare trying to force a result that is not supported by ourcircumstances. We may only be repeating to ourselves, “I want to behappy, I want to be happy, I want to be happy.” The added tensioncreated by trying to force your happiness actually tends to worsen yoursituation. It actually creates the opposite effect, digging you deeperinto that unfortunate situation. Do you see how that kind of narrow,result-oriented focus can be a kind of a secret obstacle for us attimes?This is especially true regarding the practices of the nature of mind.So, what is the introduction to the nature of mind? You understandthat it is not the same as my saying "Look at this cup" (Rinpoche holdsup a teacup). Rather, there are exercises, practices and techniquesthat all create a space where there is a greater chance to haveexperience. None of those techniques you learn are the nature of mind.None of those practices are the nature of mind. They are a veryskillful means. In one important sense the only time you will have anexperience of the nature of mind is when you are not practicing. Butyou must begin with the practice and then during the session you forgetthe practice. How can you forget the practice? When you come to theplace where there is nothing at all you could call effort, that is themoment when you find yourself in the nature of mind: free from yourthoughts, feelings, emotions and conditions, abiding in the space ofinfinite potential, in which there is a cause for the perfection ofevery experience that could arise. There is a sense of nothinglacking, because everything is perfected. The sense of longing,lacking, missing, not having enough - none of those experiences arethere. On the contrary, there is the sense of being complete,perfected, whole; and you find your self.So, regarding the introduction to the nature of mind, the importantpoint here is not to get too attached to the techniques or methods, butto work with them so you can create the right position of the body, theright breathing, the right focus of the mind. If you are able to bringtogether the right conditions of body, energy and mind, then there isno way not to experience your nature. As we always say, there is nopower or force that could possibly stop the result when all the causesand conditions are together. The same is true with regard to beinghappy. If all the causes and conditions for your being happy aretogether there, you will naturally be happy, and there is no force atall that can stop you from being happy and make you suffer. Likewise,if those causes and conditions are not there, if the causes andconditions are the wrong ones, then there is no force that can make youfeel good. That is why the whole notion of cause and effect, or thelaw of karma, is so important in the dharma.So, we must develop those causes and conditions that support theexperience of the nature of mind without being too attached to thetechniques or practices. This does not mean you don’t learn how to dothe practices precisely; you do learn them - very precisely. However,it's just like an old man who walks from one place to another with thehelp of a walking stick: His goal is to arrive at the new location, notsimply to become attached to the walking stick, right? We also knowthat if the old man tries to walk there without the stick, for sure hewill not reach his goal. Therefore, when walking to the new locationhe makes sure he has a firm grasp of the sturdy stick that supportshim. Once he reaches his destination, the walking stick is no longerimportant to him. The practices, the techniques, are exactly likethat. The methods are exactly like that. They never lose theirpotential to be of benefit when the need arises, but just don’t getattached to them. Is that clear?**************************LATE-BREAKING NEWS FROM LIGMINCHALigmincha Institute’s first grant request has been approved. The grantis from the Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation and will enable KalsangNyima to come to the United States this summer to paint thangkasrelated to the Tummo teachings.**************************NEXT WWW TEACHING WITH TENZIN WANGYAL RINPOCHE WILL BE APRIL 28Please mark your calendars for the next WWW teaching with TenzinWangyal Rinpoche:Saturday, April 28, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. ET (New York/Charlottesvilletime)The teaching topic will be:The Five Warrior Seed Syllables: The Healing Power of Sound in theTibetan Bon Buddhist TraditionSince ancient times meditative practices from a variety of spiritualtraditions have used sound and its vibration as an essential tool forhealing. Through the singing and chanting of sacred syllables andmantras, spiritual practitioners, healers and laypersons can purify andrestore harmony to a range of physical, emotional, psychological andspiritual dimensions. Guided by the mind and carried by the breaththrough subtle channels, the power of sound opens the potential to healillness and dissolve energetic disturbances.The Tibetan Bon Buddhist tradition is one of the oldest unbrokenlineages of wisdom to make use of sound for health, well-being andspiritual growth. The knowledge of its sound practices is contained ina number of Bon texts, including the revered Mother Tantra.During this WWW teaching Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will explain therelationship between the sounds of the five warrior seed syllables andtheir healing qualities. He’ll also instruct us on the meditations thatempower their healing capabilities.VOCL subscribers will receive an email bulletin with instructions forregistration and logging in. Or, visit Ligmincha's Web site,www.ligmincha.org, for this information prior to the WWW teaching.**************************DONATIONS FROM THE HEART:A MESSAGE FROM GESHE TENZIN WANGYAL RINPOCHETo all my students and friends of Bon,In our sangha many people have offered their financial support with agreat deal of generosity. Another way to give is through physicallabor. Many people know that I do physical work myself. For example,when I go to Yongdzin Rinpoche's place in France I paint or cleanwindows and put my physical labor into things for five to ten days at atime. In this way some sense of my body is involved in service, notonly my check is involved.In a similar way, I would like sangha members who visit the SerenityRidge Retreat Center to become physically involved in its creation andmaintenance. I encourage people to come to help paint the new wing ofthe Garuda House. We will be setting aside time for this purpose in thecoming work retreat, from Monday through Wednesday, April 23 to 25,right after the spring retreat. I plan to be there to help myself, andmany members of Council already have pledged to be there.Since painting the wing ourselves will save Ligmincha many thousands ofdollars, this opportunity is not only a way to offer physical support,it also is indirectly a way to offer your financial support. Pleaseconsider joining us in offering this service to the retreat center.All my best wishes,TWR*****PAINTING RETREATwith Tenzin Wangyal RinpocheApril 23-25, 2007Join us for a three-day work retreat with Tenzin Rinpoche immediatelyfollowing our spring retreat. Pre-registration required.We will be painting the finishing coat in the rooms of the new wing ofGaruda House in the five element colors! The joyful work of paintingthe interior rooms of Garuda's new wing will alternate with periods ofmeditation practice. Free accommodations in the old wing and meals willbe provided. You can come for one, two or all three days. Everyone iswelcome. (For anyone who can stay a little longer, Rinpoche will alsobe giving a free public talk at Ligmincha's Downtown Meditation Centeron Wednesday evening, April 25, from 7-8:30 p.m.)Pre-registration for the painting retreat is required because we willneed a head count for the kitchen. If you can help us with this veryimportant - and fun! - project please contact Lee Hartline by April 20at
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or 434-977-6161.*****A REQUEST FOR ITEMS FOR THE SUMMER 2007 AUCTION – SERENITY RIDGE*Deadline is May 15Each year during the summer retreat we celebrate and support Rinpoche’sdream of developing Ligmincha Institute’s Serenity Ridge Retreat Centerwith a lively auction and banquet. Traditionally, this has been theonly public fund-raising event that Ligmincha Institute holds tofinance land development projects at Serenity Ridge.We will have completed construction of the second wing of Garuda Houseby June. Over 40 percent of the construction was paid for by sanghadonations; the rest we have paid for by securing a mortgage. The 2007auction is vital to repaying this debt so development of Serenity Ridgecan continue.Every year we seek donations for the auction of quality practice- orshrine-related items that can inspire and deepen one's practice. Belowis a list of some of the items that have helped generate lively biddingand generous contributions in the past:Crystal objects: stupas, balls, malas, phurbas, vajrasTibetan singing bowls and drums, large or smallTibetan or English texts that have been used by our teachersSilver or gold gaus or amuletsMalas made from precious or semi-precious stonesPhotos of our teachers, or of sacred sitesThankas, prayer bannersItems blessed by His Holiness Lungtok Tenpai Nyima, Yongdzin TenzinNamdak Rinpoche, or Tenzin Wangyal RinpocheYour enthusiastic participation and support are essential at thisimportant time of growth for Ligmincha Institute’s Serenity RidgeRetreat Center. All donations are tax deductible.DEADLINE IS MAY 15, 2007. If you have an item to donate, please callor email me to discuss its suitability, the information we will needabout it, and shipping instructions.Candace ByersDirector of Fund-RaisingLigmincha Institute203-570-7320
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*****ART FOR THE NEW WING OF GARUDA HOUSEAs most of you know by now, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche will bepresenting further teachings on Tummo this summer. At the same time,our Garuda House will have completely unfolded its second wing, readyto fly. It would be a wonderful offering if artists in our sangha wouldconsider donating "practitioner art" to hang on the walls of the newbedrooms, hallways and lounges. We are going to try to spiff up allfour of the lounges in Garuda House so that they are welcoming placesfor people to gather and share. We are going to try to make them simpleand lovely, warm, contemplative spaces.We can frame your piece if necessary; don't worry about presentation,we are most interested in your creative effort. If you have artwork youwish to share, please contact Candace Byers at
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or203-570-7320.**************************SPRING AND SUMMER RETREATS AT SERENITY RIDGE** To register for the following retreats contact Ligmincha Instituteat
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or call 434-977-6161. For more information aboutretreats at Serenity Ridge and elsewhere, please visitwww.ligmincha.orgApril 18-22, 2007“Conquering Negative Influences – The Healing Practice of the RedGaruda”with Geshe Tenzin Wangyal RinpocheSpring Retreat at Serenity Ridge is a time for healing andrejuvenation. Each year Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche introduces atherapeutic practice from the Bon Buddhist tradition of Tibet forhealing our physical, emotional, psychological and spiritualdimensions. During this retreat, Tenzin Rinpoche will transmit thetantric practice of self-transformation into red garuda, empowering usto conquer the negative forces that spread sickness and misery.The garuda is a bird that is said to emerge from its egg fully maturedand able to fly. It is a symbol of enlightenment, innately free fromlimitations. There are five types of garuda, one for each of theelements – earth, water, fire, air and space. The red garuda isassociated with the fire element.The teachings and practices of this mystical bird originated with thefounder of Bon, Tonpa Shenrab. Although they are among the world’smost ancient healing practices, they play a special role in our moderntimes. They have the power to conquer the forces of negativity thatgive rise to many forms of illness experienced today.The red garuda practice cultivates absolute fearlessness and isparticularly effective in restoring balance between humanity and ourenvironment. It generates health and well-being not only forourselves, but also for other beings, seen and unseen, who inhabit thenatural world.Please join us for this unique opportunity to experience TenzinRinpoche’s personable teaching style, humor and warmth while receivinginstructions in one of Bon’s most remarkable healing practices: the redgaruda.RETREAT COST (includes meals): $500*****May 18-20, 2007Ngondro Practice Retreatwith Marcy Vaughn** REGISTRATION DEADLINE: April 27The ngondro is the doorway through which one enters the vast andprofound Bon Buddhist path. A set of nine foundational or preliminarypractices, the ngondro provides a solid base of understanding andexperience upon which a strong spiritual life develops.Although the practices that make up the ngondro are called preliminary,many practitioners adopt them as their main practice, completing theaccumulations of the entire ngondro many times over the course of alifetime. It is possible to understand these beautiful practices ascomplete practices in themselves, for within each is contained acomplete path to liberation.The more you devote yourself to these practices that tame, purify andperfect the mind and the more you become familiar with the experiencesthey bring, the more you will find spiritual practice grounded withinyou. The ngondro then becomes a true friend that accompanies youthroughout your spiritual life.Join your fellow practitioners for this three-day practice intensive toconnect with the power and beauty of the ngondro.Note: This practice retreat is open only to those who have receivedthe ngondro transmission.RETREAT COST (includes meals): $150*****July 1-21, 2007“The Fireball of Primordial Wisdom”Part II of the Tummo Practice from the Bon Traditionwith Geshe Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche**“Early-bird” registration date for the summer retreat is May 28This summer, Tenzin Rinpoche will continue to instruct us in thepractice of tummo (generating the inner heat) to burn away subtleobscurations and cultivate bliss, from the text Ku Sum Rang Shar(Spontaneous Arising of the Three Kayas). This text is by ShardzaTashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche, a Bon master who achieved the body of light,or rainbow body, in 1934.At last year’s summer retreat Tenzin Rinpoche began the instruction ofthis beautiful and powerful tantric practice by teaching the outer,inner and secret foundational practices of tummo. The manner in whichRinpoche crafted each day of the retreat and guided the meditationsessions, allowing sufficient time to develop each stage of practice,led to powerful experiential results.At this year’s retreat, Rinpoche will provide similar opportunities forstudents to engage deeply with the practice to help maximize eachperson’s experience of the benefits of tummo. Tenzin Rinpoche ispreparing a pre-retreat practice program; registrants will beencouraged to engage with this program daily for one month prior to theretreat. (More information will be provided at the time ofregistration.) In addition to tummo, the practices of the ninebreathings of purification and the physical yogas of tsa lung and trulkhor will reinforce the clearing of obstacles, hindrances andobscurations.You may come for one, two or all three weeks of the retreat. If youare able to attend only one week, Rinpoche recommends that you come tothe first week, when he will review the practices that he taught lastsummer. Of course all are welcome no matter which week they attend.RETREAT COST (PER WEEK) – includes meals: $450 if received by May 28:$500 if received by June 13; $550 if received after June 13. (WeekOne: July 1-7; Week Two: July 8-14; Week Three: July 15-21)*Note: Participants in the summer work retreat receive a 50 percentdiscount on one week of the summer retreat (see below.)*****June 24-30, 2007Serenity Ridge Summer Work RetreatThis is a wonderful time to share with sangha and to be of joyfulservice.For those who participate in the entire work retreat there will be a 50percent discount on one week of the summer retreat. Our work retreatincludes vigorous work periods, daily meditation practice and ampletime for a swim in the pool or a walk along the Rockfish River. Thework retreat is free of charge, and participants are provided with freetenting sites and meals.**************************NEW ITEMS AT LIGMINCHA’S BOOKSTORE AND TIBET SHOPTo view descriptions and photographs of the newest items at LigminchaInstitute’s Bookstore and Tibet Shop and for order information, pleasego to www.ligminchastore.org and click on "search by category ordescription" and then click on "New Items." Or, go directly to:http://www.ligminchastore.org/items.asp?CategoryID=16&SubCategory=0&Submit=SearchLOSAR PHOTO OF TENZIN RINPOCHE AND FAMILY:All funds from your purchase of this photo go directly to the SerenityRidge Land Fund. Price: $10NEW FIVE-ELEMENTS CARD SET:We've redesigned our Five Elements Meditation Card Set that accompaniesTenzin Wangyal Rinpoche's book "Healing With Form, Energy and Light."Set includes a card for each element, with the respective seed syllabledepicted in color (calligraphy by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche). Alsoincluded: a card depicting the mandala of all five elements. Each cardis 6" x 6 1/2". Price: $12.95KHORLO – PROTECTION AMULETS:Yeshe Walmo Healing Mantra protection amulet. One side features animage of Yeshe Walmo, the other the seed syllable 'SO.' To be wornaround the neck or hung in one's home or shrine. Price: $15Tapihritsa Khorlo. The mandala has been drawn on paper, adorned withsacred mantras, folded, wrapped in colored threads, and encased inclear plastic. This khorlo is said to protect one from negativities. Tobe worn around the neck or hung in one's home or shrine. Price: $20CD - 'MELODIC WISDOM':Now back in stock with a new CD cover. Price: $20INCENSE:Sorig Incense - large box, 60 sticks. Sorig incense is made by the MenTsee Khang, the Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute of H.H. XIVDalai Lama, in Dharamsala, India. Price: $10.95. (We also carry asmaller box of 40 sticks for $8.95.)Sorig Incense Powder, 2.5 oz. package. Price: $5.00Swift-Lite Charcoal Tablets. Package of 10 tablets. Used for burningpowdered incense and copal resin. Price: $2.25

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We are happy to announce the first publication by Sacred Sky Press! In Indestructible: The Longevity Practice of Lama Tséwang Rikdzin, Raven Cypress Wood has beautifully translated and annotated parts of Tséwang Rikdzin's text, the Tsewang Jarima. Known as the “King of Longevity,” eighth century Tibetan master Tséwang Rikdzin composed many ritual texts aimed at alleviating suffering and was a dzogchen master. The book was first made available during Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s fall retreat at Serenity Ridge. Now it is available to all.

The hardcover has a dust jacket and contains color word highlights and several color photos. The paperback contains the same contents, but with black and white text and interior photos.Order copies here

About Voice of Clear Light

Voice of Clear Light is a free email publication of Ligmincha International. Your suggestions and contributions to Voice of Clear Light are welcome. To contact us, send an email to: voiceofclearlight@ligmincha.org

For more information about Ligmincha International, the teachings of Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche, or retreats at Serenity Ridge or our other regional centers, please contact us at: